Thomas b



(No Model.)

- T. B. SMITH.

ROWLUGK.

No. 306,968. Patented Oct. 21, 1884.

WITNESSES: M INVENTOR 7:577:47! @MWQWW .MM/

ATTORNEYS NITED STATES PATENT Fries.

THOMAS It. SMITH, OF ST. JOHNLAND, NElV YORK.

ROWLOC K.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 306,968, dated October 21, 1884.

(No model.)

To all whom. it may concern.-

Be it known that I, THOMAS E. SMITH, a citizen of the United States, residing at St.

J ohnland, in the county of Suffolk and State.

of New York, have invented new and useful Improvements in Rowlooks, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to that class of rowlocks in which thetholepinis held in position by means of a spring-catch; and itconsists in the novel feature of construction hereinafter described, whereby an article of superior utility is obtained.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a sectional side view of my rowlock, showing it applied to the gunwale of a boat, the linear m, Fig. 3, indicating the plane of section. Fig. 2 is a sectional end view thereof, the line g y, Fig. 1, indicating the plane of section. Fig. 3 is a horizontal section of the same in the plane 5, Figs. 1 and 2.

Similar lettersindicate corresponding parts.

In the drawings, the letter A designates the rowlock. B is the thole-pin, and C the bracket by means of which the rowlock is secured to the gunwale of a boat. This bracket is provided with a socket, D, into which the thole-pin of the rowlock fits loosely, so that said rowlock is free to revolve in either (1 irection.

In the upper portion of the bracket 0 is formed a chamber, E, which contains a bolt, F, and a spring, G, and the thole-pin B is provided with a shoulder, a, in such a position that when said thole-pin is pressed down into the socket D the head b of the bolt F engages with said shoulder and retains the rowlock in position without, however, preventing the same from turning. The shoulder a is formed by. reducing the diameter of the tholepin at the proper place, as shown in Fig. 2, and the head bis rounded or inclined from the bottom upward, (see Fig. 2,)so that when the thole-piu is pressed down into the socket D the bolt is pressed back against the action of the spring G until the shoulder a has passed beneath the bolt, when the latter is driven i11- ward by the action of the spring, thereby retaining the rowlock in the bracket. On the outer end of the bolt F is secured a fingerbutton, 0. by means of which said bolt can be drawn outward so as to release the thole-pin for the purpose of unshipping the rowlock.

By means of the chamber E formed in the bracket 0 the bolt F and itsspringG are fully protected against water or any other impurities, and the correct action of these parts is not liable to be disturbed.

I am aware that rowlocks have been provided with spring-catching devices for holding the same in place, and Ido not claim such, broadly, as my invention.

I am aware that an oar-lock has heretofore been provided with a circumferentially, grooved stem,which is retained in a gunwale 6 socket or plate by means of a spring-pressed catch or locking device entering the groove in said stem, hence I disclaim all broadness of invention, and confine myself to the special construction and arrangements of parts herein shown.

What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In a rowlock, the combination, with the thole-pin B, having the annular shoulder a, of the bracket 0, having its upper portion constructed with the lateral chamber E, the bolt F, arranged to slide longitudinallyin said chamber, and having a finger-button. c, and the spring G- arranged in the chamber to impel the bolt inward, substantially as described.

2. The combination, with the thole-pin B, having the shoulder a, of the bracket G, constructed with the lateral chamber E, the bolt F, arranged to slide longitudinally in said chamber, and having a finger-button, c, and the spring G, coiled around the bolt within the chamber, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

THOMAS n. sMrrH. [n 5.

Witnesses:

W. HAUFIF, E. F. Knsrnurrunnn. 

